The plowing match includes competition with horse drawn plows. Each contestant is given a measured plot to plow. They are judged on how straight and even they make the sods and howsquare they make their lines. Difficult to do with a tractor, but even more challenging with horses pulling a single sod plow over unfamiliar ground. Skills include controlling the depth of the sod cut and the angle of the plow, plus driving a team.

Old school rigs like this riding plow and hand plows were seen during today's competition.Antique tractors and other horse drawn equipment are also seen working in the field.Now that's plowing!

We did OK at the farm table but attendance seemed down from last year and demand for produce was off. A lot of people planted big gardens this year. Everybody feels that cash is a bit scarce this summer. It's a a sure sign of the times.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Greetings From Dunn Creek Farm!Just across the road from the farm is a shore fronting on Murray Harbour. It's a broad and fairly shallow body formed by the Murray River meeting the Northumberland Straight. The Harbour is home to a number of PEI's lobster fishermen (and women). It's also the home of PEI mussels, which are some of the best steamers you'll ever eat! Try them at the Enterprise Fish Co. in SB.

Seals cruise the waters and have their pups in the coves and on the small islands. Teenager and I left the shore and paddled down to Seal Cove Camp Ground.Teenager gets ready to paddle out.The water is as warm as a heated pool and dead calm.This is the view from our kitchen sink.

The pergola I built from white birch last summer is now covered with hop vines and surrounded by asparagus ferns and giant russian sunflowers.Standing inside the pergola under the shade of the hop vines.The hop vines flower and then set cones. Hops are used to flavor beer and are also used as a medicinal herb. We now have fresh hops and clean water - can barley be far behind? Sunflowers! They are growing several inches taller each day. Should start blooming soon.The sunflowers are hosting dozens of ladybugs! Summer Squash - yellow and zuchinni - are now ready to enjoy. Top quality! Conditions are perfect for these plants to keep producing for a while. Cucumber plants fill a row. We're looking for a bit of rain to really kick these guy into gear. The plants are really healthy and flowering heavily right now.Annie sleeps in. Too much fresh air and sunshine just wears a dog out!

Dunn Creek Farm, PEI

About Me

I've been a broadcaster, radio programmer,voice talent, copy writer and media producer.
I'm a husband, a dad, a certified organic farmer, an amature horseman, a dog and kid trainer and a history nut.
I've been lucky enough to work with some of the most talented and creative people in the world.